Octagon Fair

Once again I find myself having to apologize for the utter lack of attention that this blog has been receiving. So sorry for the lack of updates. This term is shaping up to be my busiest term yet (yes even busier than freshman year complete with the freshman writing program). In addition to my responsibilities as the president of both Beta Beta Beta (the biological honors society) and the Elmira College Ski Club, I've recently been appointed to the position of entertainment chair for the 2011 Octagon Fair!

If you're unfamiliar with EC, then you may have never heard of the Octagon Fair. Octagon Fair is a fair that is held on campus every year in September. The fair is open to the public and sees between 3,000 and 5,000 visitors every year! Each Octagon Fair has its own distinct theme and the theme for 2011 is "Hoist the Purple and gold; EC is setting sail for Octagon Fair!" Expect all manner of nautical and pirate apparel and decorations. Every student club and organization is eligible to run a booth and many do. A couple of completely unbiased random examples of student booths would be the annual Beta Beta Beta plant and goldfish sale and the Ski Club sno-cone sale, both of which are big hits every year. In addition to student clubs, local craters and vendors are also eligible for a booth where they can sell their various wares or perhaps simply distribute information. An example of these booths would be my friend and fellow student Josh's pottery sale or the Boy Scouts of America recruiting drive. Another huge part of the fair is the annual Elmira College Bookstore clothing sale, where you can find just about any piece of Elmira College apparel for extremely low prices. Better get there early though, there is always a huge line (I'm talking 30 minutes or so when it starts to slow down...). Finally, there are performances throughout the day on the campus stage which is set up for the Fair in the grass near the Campus Center; this is where I come in.

As the entertainment chair, it is my responsibility to ensure that their is always something going on at the stage. Past years have had performers such as the EC Danceline and martial arts demonstrations. Last year, to fit the Wild West theme, there were even square dancers! I'm already hard at work making sure that this years Octagon Fair is going to be a huge success so make sure you come out next fall, September 17, 2011 and see what Octagon Fair is all about!